South Korean and US militaries shorten drills by about half after Trump ordered a reduction - apnews.com

“After President Donald Trump issued a surprise directive in early 2017, the United States and South Korean armed forces abruptly scaled back their annual joint military exercises, cutting the duration by roughly 50 percent. The move was intended to ease North Korean provocations and open diplomatic channels, but it also raised concerns among U.S. defense planners about readiness and alliance credibility. The reduction sparked a rapid recalibration of training schedules, with both militaries focusing on smaller, less conspicuous maneuvers while maintaining core interoperability. Analysts note that the scaling back could affect defense contractors that rely on large‑scale drill logistics and may influence market sentiment toward defense stocks. Expert Analysis: The abrupt cut underscores how political decisions can quickly reshape defense spending priorities, potentially delaying procurement cycles for U.S. firms that support large‑scale exercises. A prolonged de‑escalation could also temper regional risk premiums, modestly benefiting sectors sensitive to geopolitical volatility.”